Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of vanishing in the Bible often symbolizes the transient nature of life and the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits. The Scriptures use this imagery to remind believers of the impermanence of earthly existence and the enduring nature of spiritual truths.
Biblical References:1.
James 4:14 · "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This verse underscores the brevity and uncertainty of human life. James uses the metaphor of a mist to illustrate how quickly life can disappear, urging believers to live with an awareness of their mortality and dependence on God.
2.
Psalm 37:20 · "But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD will vanish like smoke; they will vanish away." Here, the psalmist contrasts the fate of the wicked with the righteous. The imagery of smoke conveys the idea that the wicked, despite their temporary power or influence, will ultimately disappear and be forgotten.
3.
Proverbs 27:24 · "For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation." While the word "vanish" is not explicitly used, the concept is present in the transient nature of wealth and power. This proverb serves as a warning against placing trust in material possessions, which can quickly disappear.
4.
Isaiah 51:6 · "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail." Isaiah contrasts the temporary nature of the physical world with the eternal nature of God's salvation and righteousness. The heavens and earth, though seemingly permanent, will eventually vanish, highlighting the enduring nature of divine promises.
5.
1 Corinthians 13:8 · "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." In this passage, Paul speaks of the temporary nature of spiritual gifts compared to the eternal nature of love. The phrase "pass away" conveys a similar idea to vanishing, emphasizing that only love endures forever.
Theological Implications:The theme of vanishing in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the temporal nature of human life and worldly achievements. It calls believers to focus on eternal values and to seek a relationship with God, whose promises and love endure forever. The imagery of vanishing challenges individuals to live with humility, recognizing the fleeting nature of life and the importance of investing in what is eternal.
Greek
853. aphanizo -- to make unseen, ie destroy... Word Origin from aphanes Definition to make unseen, ie destroy NASB Word Usage destroy
(1), destroys (1), neglect (1), perish (1),
vanishes away (1).
...Strong's Hebrew
3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...... perishing (1), plotted (1), put an end (2), ravage (1), settled (1), spend (3),
spent (5), terminate (1), use (1), used (1), vanish (2),
vanishes (1), waste
...Library
Aristotle; Duality of Principles; his Categories; his Psychology...
... For Plato affirms it to be immortal, but Aristotle that it involves permanence;
and after these things, that this alsovanishes in the fifth body, [123] which...
The Horoscope the Foundation of Astrology; Indiscoverability of...
... at the horizon, or in the point of the heavens opposite the meridian; but if these
be not comprehended, the entire system of the Chaldeansvanishes along with...
That Perfect Love Binds to God Without Loosing and Makes Man...
... All pleasure also that men have beholden in this exile is likened to hay that now
flourishes and waxes green, but suddenlyvanishes as if it had not been....
Section 1
... If that crisis is not seized, nothing lies before the plant but useless, irrevocable
decay; the power to receive withers andvanishes; and nothing can renew it...
Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... has all along seen him. Then every fond idea of self-goodness, either in
whole or in part,vanishes away. The things in him that...
Christian Consolation in Loneliness
... Remove these external helps,"substitute therefor sorrow, duty, the revelations of
our own inner being,"and all this gayetyvanishes like the sparkles from...
"This Thing is from Me"
... one Shemaiah,"some of you never heard of him before, perhaps you will never hear
of him again; he appears once in this history, and then hevanishes; he comes...
Of Scoffing and Derision.
... A dull contumely quicklyvanishes, nobody thinking it worth remembering; but when
tis steeled with Wit, it pierces deep, leaves such impressions in the fancy...
A Drama in Five Acts
... of this world passeth away,""the word translated "fashion" is borrowed from the
changing scenes of the drama; where the splendid pageantryvanishes as the...
Ill-Temper
... Finally itvanishes into space, leaving lengths of itself unexplored, its sins unnamed,
unheeded, and unshunned. But we have no balance to weigh sins....
Thesaurus
Vanishes (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Vanishes (3 Occurrences).
... For what is your life? For you
are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then
vanishes away.
...Vanish (21 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To pass from a visible to an invisible state; to go out of sight; to disappear;
to fade; as, vaporvanishes from the sight by being dissipated; a ship...
Vanished (13 Occurrences)
Vapor (6 Occurrences)
... tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for
a little time, and thenvanishes away. (WEB ASV WBS NAS)....
Vanisheth (2 Occurrences)
Whereas (55 Occurrences)
... tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a
little time, and thenvanishes away. (WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)....
Fades (10 Occurrences)
... glory. (See NAS). Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed andvanishes away, so
he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more. (See RSV)....
Tomorrow (57 Occurrences)
... tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a
little time, and thenvanishes away. (WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)....
Reuben (73 Occurrences)
... Reuben is "to the eastern tribes what Simeon is to the western. `Unstable
as water,' hevanishes away into a mere Arabian tribe....
Resources
What does the Bible say about time management? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a glory cloud? Is a glory cloud biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that life is a vapor? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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